Forget me not

“What a lovely day, isn’t it, Captain Morgan?” Albert asked.

As expected, Albert’s question met with no response. Captain Morgan was named after Albert’s favorite poison — Captain Morgan rum.

Give or take 40 years ago, “Captain Morgan’s” skeleton was caught in Albert’s fishing nets and later became a rather peculiar dummy for various fishing gears.

When Albert was no longer able to sail, he sold his fishing boat and bought a local fishing tackle shop which became his home ever since.

“Ding-ding” the doorbell melodically rang. There she stood — Mrs. Eugenia, Albert’s haze of sighs. Mrs. Eugenia had the prime of her life long left behind. She was a petite woman, with long white hair, today the same as for the last 40 years, put up in a bun. Her skin was wrinkled like a dried orange peel but her smile and glance were as bright and attractive as decades ago.

“Good morning Albert, it’s such a nice day, a perfect day for a perfect catch.“

Her tender tone turned his heart over. “Good morning Mrs. Eugenia. A lovely day indeed, what has brought you here today?” Albert asked loudly — he had to as Mrs. Eugenia was deaf as a post.

“I’ll have one Albatross Fat Belly, one Dam Effzett Viper, and some magnesium chalk.”

“I’m afraid we’re out of Viper, but I can order it today and have it ready for you tomorrow”.

“That would be lovely Albert,” she responded smiling.

Despite being well-stocked, he often informed Mrs. Eugenia that one of the items she wanted to buy is out of stock and will be available later. He pulled out a small piece of paper and wrote “Dam Effzett Viper pick up on Thursday, May 13th at Main’s fishing tackle shop”, turned the note over, scribbled something at the back, and handed it over. He didn’t need to do that, she would come back the next day anyway, she always did.

Eugenia was a regular customer in the shop for decades now. She used to buy fishing gear for her husband long before the shop was bought by Albert.

Eugenia and Albert grew up together. As children of the sea — that’s how the fry of an Isle was called — they were keeping each other company, staying alone for long hours, while their parents were working in rough conditions and an unforgiving climate. Eugenia, Albert, Neha, and Dale were the last generation of fishermen keeping the family traditions alive. They’ve spent endless hours in their hometown’s harbor, hiding on the dockyard, scouting all kinds of fishing vessels. Dale’s dad used to leave hidden letters and a “treasure” map. Kids had to follow the map to find all the letters until they reach the end where X marks the spot and treasure is hidden. It was a scavenger hunt across an open dockyard world. One day, Eugenia and Albert got stuck for the whole night in one of the fishing ships, they were found early morning by Neha’s parents, half-frozen in each other’s embrace, they were told that’s what probably kept them alive. That day was the last time children were allowed to play the game. Also, that day they swore that they won’t leave each other’s side.

Even as grownups Eugenia and Albert kept leaving each other short notes, in a similar manner that the ones left by Dale’s dad. That’s also how Albert declared his love for Eugenia years later.

Albert took a sip of his Captain Morgan rum that has long-lost potency to work up the courage and with a trembling voice asked Mrs. Eugenia’s back.

“Would you like to get out sometimes?”

“Trout chimes? — oh Albert you’re such a droll.” She smirked gently and left Albert with the door’s bell echo.

“Maybe tomorrow will be a better day,” Albert said to Captain Morgan not expecting any response.

Albert couldn’t sleep that night, he always got anxious around that time of a year. Most of the morning, he was walking nervously back and forth, just like animals in the zoo pace in their cages, looking through the store’s front window every few minutes in silent anticipation.

“Good evening, Albert. I do hope you had a lovely morning.” Sound of Eugenia’s voice shook him off.

He turned around, there she was standing at the door. He felt his heart racing, with a trembling voice he replied “Eugenia, it’s so good to see you. Your order is ready.”

“My chowder is leady? Can’t do much about PCB levels,” she laughed. “You’d never stop amusing me, don’t you?”

“Here’s your Viper.” Albert handed her a small, neatly packed box.

She responded with her lovely smile and bid him farewell. Albert closed the store straight away and rushed upstairs.

Eugenia took her usual long stroll along the town’s embankment on her way home. She unpacked the Viper from Albert’s shop and found a small note from him that read: “I hope you’ll join me for our annual dinner today at 8 pm at Joe’s Pub. Love, Albert”.

Albert prepared his dinner jacket accompanied by a tweed bow-tie. Every year on the last day of August they were celebrating their anniversary.

Despite Eugenia’s dementia, she came too as she did every single year for the past decades. They spent a lovely evening at Joe’s, talked a lot, just like in the old days. He was still able to see it in her eyes, this deep affection that kept them connected for all of these years. He believed that even her illness was not strong enough to make her fully forget how happy their marriage was. And even though quite unusual, still is.

“Eugenia, love of my life, my friend, my dear wife. I love her. That was a wonderful evening.” Albert said to Captain Morgan as he entered his fishing tackle shop. He walked upstairs to a room that became his solitude a while ago when his wife stopped recollecting their marriage. He quickly fell asleep, with a smile on his face.